The holiday of Halloween is celebrated from the evening of October 31 to the following morning. It’s believed that the ancient Celtic festival known as Samhain was the originator of this holiday. This holiday celebrates the end of summer and harvest season by marking the day that spirits pass over into their final resting place until they are called back at the spring equinox.
As a result, it is believed that this special night was when departed souls come to visit us. As a result, it is common to see people dress in all sorts of disguises and costumes with special accessories such as hats, masks, wigs, and so forth. Along with our fake faces, we also hide things around our houses such as candy, spiders, and so forth that we hope will lure these spirits out so we can give them gifts before they leave for good. Let’s talk more about why do we celebrate Halloween.
What are the origins of Halloween?
Halloween is a celebration that has its origins in the Celtic festival of Samhain, which was celebrated from autumn until winter solstice. The Celts believed that the souls of the dead wandered the earth until this time of year when they returned to their bodies so they could be reincarnated.
To help guide these souls back to their bodies, Celtic people decorated their homes and fields with bonfires and wore costumes to confuse the spirits so they could be guided home. On All Saints’ Day, October 1, people would honor their deceased relatives by placing food and decorations on the graves. Thus, this holiday of the dead came to be celebrated on the night of October 31.
Why do we celebrate Halloween?
Halloween is a holiday that celebrates the return of the souls of the dead to their bodies. This holiday is not only a fun time to dress up and be spooky, but it is also a time to celebrate the many cultures and traditions that have come together to create this celebration.
While wearing scary costumes and decorating your home with Halloween decorations is a tradition that many people enjoy, it’s also important to remember the history behind this holiday and appreciate the many positive aspects of this celebration. This includes the many communities across the country that host Halloween events, like carnivals, trick-or-treating and family-friendly events.
It’s also important to remember that this is not a day for children to go door to door asking for treats. Instead, families can participate in activities, like taking a Haunted Walk, to help teach their kids about the importance of being safe this Halloween.
How is Halloween celebrated in other countries?
Halloween is a celebrated holiday around the world that has many different traditions and meanings based on the country where it is celebrated. For example, in Spain, the celebration is known as All Saints’ Day and is an important religious holiday that is celebrated on November 1.
In other countries, the celebration is more similar to the American version of Halloween with costumes, candy, and parties.
Is there a history of trick-or-treating during Halloween?
Trick-or-treating as we know it today was likely first popularized during the Victorian Era in England. During this time period, poor children would dress up as ghosts, goblins, and witches and would be given candy by the wealthy, including Lord and Lady Munck who would hand out food and money in exchange for orange blossoms.
This tradition eventually crossed the Atlantic Ocean to American shores, where it gained popularity in the early 20th century. Before long, stores would start selling “trick-or-treat” bags that contained small treats, like chocolate bars and candy corn, for children to take to their homes.
When is Trick-or-Treat Time?
Trick-or-treating is most commonly thought of as taking place on October 31 during the evening. However, you can also trick-or-treat during the day on October 31. Most communities have some type of Halloween event that is open to the public, such as a parade, a haunted walk, a costume contest, and more.
Check with your local Halloween events and community organization to see what’s happening in your area. Most communities also set up Trick-or-Treat Street where businesses hand out free treats to trick-or-treaters.
Why do we call the holiday All Hallows’ Eve?
Another fun tidbit about Halloween is the fact that, like many holidays that celebrate the coming back of the dead, this celebration takes place on a day associated with the dead. All Hallows’ Day, also known as All Saints’ Day, is October 1.
On this day, people would go to cemeteries and light lanterns to guide the spirits home, including the lanterns that are often found at pumpkin patches. Because the night before this holiday is also All Hallows’ Eve, the term All Hallows’ Eve was eventually shortened to simply Halloween.
How can you celebrate All Hallows’ Eve safely and legally?
Halloween is a very popular holiday, so you will likely see many people on the streets wearing costumes and carrying out scary activities. Unfortunately, there are also dangerous crimes that occur during this time.
To help keep your family safe, consider the following tips:
- Make sure your children know how to keep themselves safe during Halloween by teaching them how to recognize and report suspicious behavior.
- Make sure your home is securely locked and that your doors are locked. There are many scary costumes on the market that are designed to make people think they are locked inside a room, like a coffin or a trunk.
- Make sure your pets are kept in securely fenced areas. – Make well in advance of Halloween if you plan to travel outside of your community.
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